Dénia 10th anniversary as Unesco Creative City
We are celebrating. We mark the 10th anniversary of Dénia's designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, a recognition of the richness of our culinary and agri‑food heritage. It also poses a challenge to showcase and enrich our culinary potential, inseparably linked to identity and the territory. These have been ten years of experiences, exchanges, training and research. A path seasoned with creativity and sown with hopes and projects to nurture, without losing sight of our touchstones and, at a slow simmer, a future of opportunities. We want to share our birthday celebrations with you through a programme of activities that we will announce soon. It will be the celebration of our living food culture with deep roots. Come and join a tasting.
AGENDA
20th September — Show “Antipasti”
Chef Marcelo Mascarpone and his assistant Pepino Pepperoni cook up a comic performance combining circus and magic at Antipasti, their Neapolitan street restaurant. The two experienced cooks balance pizzas, make music with pans and juggle vegetables and kitchenware. The meal is enlivened by audience participation. Have you booked your table yet?
27–28th September — Four creative cities at the Dna Festival
Tsuroka (Japan), Parma (Italy), Mérida (Mexico) and Zahle (Lebanon), UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy, join us for our birthday at the Dna Food Festival. Committed to innovation, culture and creativity as well as the preservation of local gastronomic tradition, they bring a showcase of their cuisine to Dénia.
23rd October — Conference Day “Dénia, City of Thought”
We will discuss cooking and food. Participants include historian Almudena Villegas, member of the Royal Academy of Gastronomy (‘The Threat of Food: When Eating Became a Problem’); Marina Lozano, archaeologist and member of the Atapuerca research team (‘Human Engines: The Role of Food in Human Evolution’), in collaboration with Burgos, UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and the Museum of Human Evolution of Burgos; and Paloma Lizondo Aranda, PhD in Chemistry from the Universitat Politècnica de València (‘What You Don’t See: The Hidden Chemistry in Chefs’ Kitchens’).
20th November, 8pm — José Marsal Caballero Awards from Dénia FM. At Auditori Centre Social.
Presentation of the Tenth Anniversary Award Dénia UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy to "CEE Raquel Payà", "CEIP Pou de la Muntanya" and "IES Maria Ibars/CIPFP Dénia".
30th November, 12pm — Concert by the Dénia Band. At Auditori Centre Social.
The Agrupación Artística Musical de Dénia plays the original soundtrack of the Red Prawn of Dénia in the Santa Cecília concert to join the birthday celebrations. The composers are Javier Pinto and Josep Pastor, who will conduct the band. The piece premiered in 2017 as a tribute to the Mediterranean Sea and the people working at the sea, and to the distinctive bursts of our cuisine.
13th September — 10th Anniversary Celebration of Dénia UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy
Main celebration day with a central event at midday at Carrer Marqués de Campo. Open to everybody.
